Mirroring to multiple destinations using a monitoring function

A method for processing packets, the method comprising:

• processing, by a computing device, a first packet;
• generating, by the computing device, a first copy of the first packet as a second packet;
• sending, by the computing device, second copies of the first packet to a first group of multiple destinations defined by a first address;
• sending, by the computing device, the second packet to an interface with a loopback function, wherein the interface recirculates the second packet for further processing;
• processing, by the computing device, the second packet, wherein the second packet is assigned a destination of a second address;
• and
• sending, by the computing device, copies of the second packet to a second group of multiple destinations defined by the second address.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions, which when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to be operable for:

• processing a first packet;
• generating a first copy of the first packet as a second packet;
• sending second copies of the first packet to a first group of multiple destinations defined by a first address;
• sending the second packet to an interface with a loopback function, wherein the interface recirculates the second packet for further processing;
• processing the second packet, wherein the second packet is assigned a destination of a second address;
• and
• sending copies of the second packet to a second group of multiple destinations defined by the second address.

An apparatus for processing packets comprising:

• one or more computer processors;
• and
• a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions for controlling the one or more computer processors to be operable for:
• processing a first packet;
• generating a first copy of the first packet as a second packet;
• sending second copies of the first packet to a first group of multiple destinations defined by a first address;
• sending the second packet to an interface with a loopback function, wherein the interface recirculates the second packet for further processing;
• processing the second packet, wherein the second packet is assigned a destination of a second address;
• and
• sending copies of the second packet to a second group of multiple destinations defined by the second address.